Articles tagged with Mountains
A study led by the University of Zurich found that 1.5 billion people will strongly depend on mountain water resources by mid-21st century, up from 7% in the 1960s. Sustainable development and climate action are crucial to ensure mountain areas continue to supply water as 'water towers'.
Researchers analyzed groundwater level changes around Kumamoto City after a magnitude 7.0 earthquake, finding a significant increase in groundwater levels due to increased permeability of the mountain aquifer. The study suggests that earthquakes can alter hydrological environments and release water from mountains.
A study published in Restoration Ecology found that mountain meadow restorations using the 'pond and plug' technique increased bird populations over time. The study's authors concluded that both hydrologic measures and vegetative measures were helpful in creating habitat for birds, with the latter approach accelerating positive impacts.
A recent study by Rutgers researchers found only one Rickettsia rickettsii-infected tick out of over 3,000 examined in New Jersey. This discovery brings good news as the bacterium is extremely rare in the state, but its presence highlights the need for continued surveillance and research.
Research published in PLOS ONE found that social status, not body size, determines reproductive success for female mountain gorillas. High-ranking females produce offspring more frequently due to preferential access to males. Dominance rank is linked to reproductive benefits, even with abundant food supply.
A University of Melbourne study finds that parts of the Eastern Highlands in Victoria may be as young as 5 million years, contradicting previous estimates of 90 million years. The team used speleothem dating to determine the age of stalagmites and flowstones in nearby caves.
Researchers found that specialized cold-water invertebrate communities have persisted through time even after deglaciation, suggesting that high-altitude streams and snow-fed water sources are key to preserving mountain biodiversity. The study used biological and glacier retreat data from Glacier National Park to support these findings.
A recent study reveals that specialized cold-water invertebrates have persisted in high-elevation streams of Glacier National Park, even after glacier melting. Researchers found that these species may be more resilient to glacier recession than previously thought.
Researchers analyzed tree-ring reconstructions of streamflow to quantify drought severity, dating back to 800 CE. The study found the 2000-2010 drought was the driest in 1,200 years, with increased warming contributing to its extreme severity.
The 'uplift of the Tibetan Plateau' concept is debunked due to contradictory paleoaltimetric estimates, isotopic bias, and re-dating of key sites. The region's complex topography was formed before the India-Eurasia collision, with uplift beginning in the Eocene.
Researchers studied Glacier Flat Creek in Alaska and found that glacier detachments can be triggered by increased subglacial water pressure due to melting ice. This phenomenon suggests that glaciers may pose new hazards as they melt at a faster pace, potentially leading to more frequent and destructive events.
Researchers have discovered three new moth species in the Alps, named after legendary climbers Reinhold Messner, Peter Habeler, and David Lama. The moths are closely related and belong to the genus Caryocolum, living exclusively on carnation plants and inhabiting dry habitats.
Researchers have developed a low-cost methodology for creating high-resolution three-dimensional models of lake bottoms, combining data from an echo sounder and LiDAR detection data collected from an airplane. The technique has been successfully implemented in the Truchillas Lake in Spain, providing insights into the origin of the lake...
A new species of bent-toed gecko, Cyrtodactylus phnomchiensis, has been described from Phnom Chi mountain in the sanctuary. The discovery highlights the importance of biodiversity conservation and underscores the need to strengthen management of the Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary.
Researchers at Penn State developed a laboratory method to create membraneless compartments within a liquid, allowing them to segregate and concentrate components for important cellular functions. The findings could provide insight into how cells use these compartments to perform different tasks in different locations, with potential a...
Researchers at the University of Helsinki confirm existence of the Taita mountain dwarf galago, a tiny nocturnal prosimian weighing 100-180 grams. The species is found in relatively cool montane forests and communicates using distinctive calls.
New discoveries push back dates for early farming in the region by at least a millennium, providing evidence of adaptable ancient crop plants to new ecological constraints. The study also illustrates how humans cultivated crops at northern latitudes, challenging previous views on cultivation and labor practices in ancient Eurasia.
A recent study by Ohio University researchers found that nearly 70% of tourist-gorilla spacing observations took place within 7 meters, posing a risk of disease transmission. The study urges tourists to maintain safe distances and encourages park officials to implement measures to protect gorilla health.
A 16-year German-Egyptian research project has uncovered the history of Asyut's necropolis, revealing over 300 tombs and diverse artworks. The finds have broadened knowledge about the region's cultural and economic boom during the First Intermediate Period and Middle Kingdom.
A new study suggests that attitudes towards altitude sickness began to form over 200 years ago, with British explorers fueling distrust towards Himalayan peoples. The early 19th-century writings of British surveyors and travellers reveal a complex web of exploitation and competition between Europeans and locals.
A study of 15 South Tyrolean waterways found that extensive pastures increase biodiversity in streams and rivers. Aquatic macroinvertebrates perform more diversified tasks in pastures, with greater species diversity than in woodland and rocky areas.
A rare earth element deposit has been identified in the Mountain Pass region of the eastern Mojave Desert, USA. The deposit is believed to be magmatic carbonatite and spans a significant subsurface extent, according to a recent study published in Geosphere.
A new study reveals that Glacier National Park's iconic mountain goats are under threat from climate change, as they seek out dwindling snow patches to cope with heat stress. The researchers found that breathing rates decrease by up to 15% when goats rest in these patches.
Research suggests that southern Arizona was a high-elevation plateau with elevations over 10,000 feet, similar to Tibet, due to its thick Earth's crust. The study provides insight into mountain formation and distribution of natural resources like copper.
Researchers at UC Santa Cruz discovered elevated mercury levels in mountain lions, lichen, and deer within the fog zone, approaching toxic thresholds. Bioaccumulation contributes to higher concentrations up the food chain, posing a significant risk to terrestrial mammals.
A study reconstructs the source of radioactive ruthenium detected over Europe in 2017, identifying the southern Ural Mountains in Russia and the Mayak Production Association facility as the likely source. The authors estimated that approximately 250 TBq of radioactivity was released, with most of it occurring on September 26, 2017.
A new study suggests that global temperatures are causing the 'eternal ice' in the Sayan Mountains to melt faster than ever, threatening the livelihoods of traditional reindeer herders. This loss of cultural heritage could have long-lasting impacts on human knowledge and adaptation.
Researchers from Spain and Portugal have identified the careo irrigation channels of Sierra Nevada as the oldest underground aquifer recharge system in Europe. The study, published in Journal of Hydrology, reveals that this ancient technique was used to channel water for centuries, with evidence dating back to the 11th Century.
Researchers propose MGES technology for long-term energy storage using mountains, filling a gap in the market for smaller locations. Sand or gravel is transported from bottom to top, storing potential energy, which can be reused and generates electricity.
Researchers used whole-genome sequencing to discover the Agouti gene's role in winter coat color change in mountain hares. The study suggests introgression from non-color-changing species drove this variation, highlighting a key factor in polymorphism of winter coats in hares.
Researchers have recorded the loudest bird calls yet documented, reaching sound pressure levels three times that of screaming pihas. The white bellbird's mating songs are so loud they pose a risk to female hearing, sparking questions about the evolutionary advantages behind this extraordinary trait.
Using whole genome sequencing, scientists can pinpoint populations that need an influx of new genes or identify the best pumas to move between populations. This approach may help prevent inbreeding and its consequences, such as health defects.
Researchers suggest Machu Picchu was built on tectonic faults, taking advantage of fracture planes to shape stones and access water. The site's unique architecture reflects the underlying geological fault network.
Researchers discovered that rock expansion, rather than chemical decomposition, is the primary cause of subsurface porosity in the Southern Sierra Nevada Mountains. This finding has significant implications for water resource management in the US, as saprolite can store large volumes of water and maintain forest health during droughts.
This special issue highlights von Humboldt's lasting legacy on mountain ecology and environment. Research focuses on species richness, biodiversity evolution, and soil microbial communities in response to climate change.
Two companion papers reveal that mountain regions are hotspots of biodiversity, with tropical mountains hosting more than 85% of the world's species. The high level of biodiversity is linked to unique climate conditions and geological dynamics.
Researchers at Brigham Young University developed a new wildfire model that uses plant chemistry to predict how quickly wildfires will burn. The study found that the type of shrub species affects the speed of combustion and chemical production, enabling more efficient fire management.
Researchers analyzed strontium, carbon, and nitrogen isotopes in jaguar scat to identify prey habitats. The study found that jaguars in Belize were not competing with livestock for resources, providing reassurance for conservation efforts.
Tropical Depression 13W has triggered warnings in the Philippines due to its location and potential for heavy rainfall. The NASA Terra satellite used infrared light to analyze storm strength, finding strongest storms with cloud top temperatures as cold as -80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Researchers from the University of Würzburg captured rare footage of Abbott's duiker antelopes on Mt. Kilimanjaro, a species classified as endangered. The study found that protected areas are crucial for maintaining biodiversity in large mammal species.
The PermaSense project has recorded a unique 10-year record of high-resolution data on the Hörnli ridge of the Matterhorn, offering a better understanding of processes that can lead to rock destabilization. The data set includes measurements of temperature, seismic activity, and deformation of the mountain ridge.
Researchers discovered that people in Ethiopia lived high up in the Bale Mountains during the Palaeolithic period, around 45,000 years ago. The inhospitable region provided enough water and food sources, including giant rodents and volcanic obsidian rock, allowing humans to survive and thrive.
West Virginia University research predicts a 10-degree spike in average temperature by the end of the 21st century, leading to more frequent droughts, heat waves, and flooding. Increased evaporation due to warmer air temperatures exacerbates these extremes, threatening water security and ecosystem health.
Researchers have discovered a new species of tree in the Usambara Mountains, which grows up to 20m tall with white flowers. The tree is considered endangered due to its restricted population range and potential reliance on a specific beetle for pollination.
Researchers found magnetic anomalies resembling those formed at mid-ocean ridge plate boundaries, suggesting Tamu Massif formed by mid-ocean ridge 'spreading' rather than as a shield volcano. The discovery weakens the accepted analogy between eruptions of continental flood basalts and oceanic plateaus.
The 2015 Gorkha earthquake filled a significant knowledge gap in understanding Himalayan seismicity, revealing that the Main Himalayan Thrust fault changes geometry along-strike. This finding improves understanding of earthquake hazards in India and Nepal by identifying potential locations for future earthquakes.
Researchers studied an ancient water system in Huamantanga, Peru, and found it could reroute 35% of wet season water, equivalent to 99 million cubic meters per year. The method could extend the wet season, providing more drinking water and longer crop-growing periods for local farmers.
Archaeologists and laboratory scientists discovered psychoactive compounds in ancient incense burners from the Pamir Mountains, indicating higher levels of THC. This study provides clear evidence that ancient people in eastern Central Asia used cannabis for its psychoactive properties.
Researchers have discovered ancient Fagaceae fruit and leaf fossils in Patagonia, Argentina, pushing the family's history south of the Malay Archipelago. The findings suggest a Gondwanan supercontinent legacy in Asian rainforests, expanding our understanding of plant evolution and biogeography.
Scientists have discovered two new species of 'tweezer-beaked hopping rats' that specialize in eating earthworms, showcasing the incredible biodiversity of the Philippines. The discovery highlights the importance of protecting mountainous forests, which provide unique habitats for these animals and other endemic species.
Researchers found two new species of 'tweezer-beaked hopping rats' in the Philippines, with distinctive features like long pointed noses and sturdy hind legs. The discovery highlights the country's incredible biodiversity and the importance of protecting mountainous forests where these unique species thrive.
Historical documents suggest that a mountain surveyed by Humboldt was actually Mt. Antisana, which the authors resurveyed to compare with original observations. The resurvey found that vegetation belts have shifted upwards by 215-266 meters, consistent with global range shifts.
A comprehensive study in Mexicali, Mexico, found that half of the neighborhoods had diagnosed human cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, with some areas having almost one in 10 infected ticks. The study also gauged residents' knowledge and found that fewer than half used pesticides to prevent bites.
A new climate study aims to preserve the rich culture and history of Ladakh, a mountain region in India experiencing devastating effects from changing weather patterns. The 'Climate Witness: Voices from Ladakh' project collects local testimonies about resilience and adaptation strategies.
Researchers developed a new method to analyze sediment in mountain rivers to determine landslide frequency and residence time, revealing that most sediment remains in the river system for only ten years. This study has significant implications for understanding and mitigating landslide risk in mountainous regions.
Climate change could cause Western Hemisphere cloud forests to shrink and dry by 60-80% in as few as 25 years. The loss of clouds would nearly disappear the highly diverse alpine ecosystems above these equatorial cloud forests, known as páramo.
Researchers observed mountain gorillas gathering around the bodies of deceased group members, spending time in contact with their corpses, and even grooming them. These behaviors were surprisingly similar across different gorilla groups and suggest a complex understanding of death among these animals.
A recent study on Mount Kilimanjaro reveals that land use and climate interactions significantly impact tropical mountain ecosystems, resulting in reduced biodiversity and altered ecological functions. The research found that different elevation zones exhibit varying levels of change, with the savanna zone being particularly vulnerable.
EPFL researchers found that gas exchange velocity in mountain streams is on average 100 times higher than predicted using lowland stream data. This discovery has major implications for biogeochemical models and highlights the importance of accurate modeling of alpine ecosystems.
A new study published in Wilderness & Environmental Medicine found that a lower dose of acetazolamide (62.5 mg twice daily) was as effective in preventing acute mountain sickness symptoms as the standard prophylactic dose (125 mg twice daily). However, this reduced dose showed similar side effects with both doses.